Michael Beasley

Want to go shopping with Michael Beasley? The Miami Heat forward is trading in his NBA uniform to dress like a Champs Sports employee on Friday. He'll be manning the cash register and working as a personal shopper to help a few fans pick out adidas NBA duds at the Champs Sports location at Aventura Mall. Beasley is appearing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to help promote the new Official NBA Shop at Champs Sports. The NBA announced last month that it was partnering with adidas and Champs stores to add the NBA Shop-branded sections starting in 69 stores, including in Miami, and then rolling out to the company's other 468 stores by the start of the 2010-11 NBA season.

September 25, 2014 Q: Given the Heat's need for youth, athleticism and players who can create their own shot, I am shocked we gave up on Michael Beasley. Plus he was a fan favorite, a minimum salary and Pat Riley has a motivation for loyalty and "making things work. " Will we ever know specifically why the Heat lost complete faith in Michael? -- Stone, New York. A: I don't think there is any deep mystery, nor has any specific incident come to light.

If there was a Miami Heat Dictionary, it is now clear that the "Polarizing" entry would be accompanied by a picture of Michael Beasley. Thursday, there were 4,234 questions in the "Ask Ira" email box. No, not all were about Michael and not all from Thursday, but after several pages of scrolling through, I figured the best way was to offer a larger than usual daily sampling from the mailbag, so here are a dozen. Q: So which player is going to be the one to take Beasley under his wing this time?

What became apparent early on in the NBA free-agency process has become a reality. Michael Beasley's second tour with the Miami Heat is over. With the Heat having previously assigned Beasley's No. 8 to rookie guard Tyler Johnson and having brought in journeyman free-agent forward Shawne Williams as a potential replacement, Beasley has agreed to a non-guaranteed training-camp contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Yahoo Sports. Beasley, who had a tumultuous first tenure in South Florida due to off-court issues with the Heat after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, never was able to get a foothold in Erik Spoelstra's rotation during last season's comeback, becoming an afterthought in the playoffs.

January 3, 2014 Q: First home game after a long road trip really is a tough one, isn't it? -- Greg. A: Typically, I would say yes. But the Heat had two days off, plus Erik Spoelstra cancelled the game-day shootaround Thursday. Perhaps for as much as had been made about the Warriors being in Miami for two days, the reality was the Heat also were in South Florida for two days over the New Year's break. For as much as the Warriors accomplished, and they were terrific, the Heat appeared a step slow, somewhat disinterested.

It is now five games, 11 days and counting when it comes to the strained left hamstring that has kept forward Michael Beasley out of action for the Miami Heat. The Heat announced that Beasley was held out of Monday morning's shootaround at AmericanAirlines Arena, again inactive for Monday night's game against the Utah Jazz. Beasley last appeared in the Heat's Dec. 5 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, when he played 23 minutes and scored 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opened his comments following Tuesday morning's shootaround at Bankers Life Fieldhouse by saying, "Everybody should be ready to go tonight. " Pressed about whether Dwyane Wade or Michael Beasley participated in the session, Spoelstra repeated the answer and then moved on to the next question about Tuesday night's game against the Indiana Pacers. Center Chris Bosh was more forthcoming, saying Wade did not participate in the session. Fortunately, it didn't matter, with Wade going through a pregame workout, with the decision then made to play.

Q: Since we are not going to play Greg Oden, I think we should have Michael Beasley available, just in case LeBron James struggles on Sunday. LeBron has no backup at his position. -- Paul. A: To me this is a no-brainer. The Heat have tried to do right all season by Oden, considering the remarkable commitment he gave to push back from so much time out of the league. But the reality is that even against Tiago Splitter, with the Spurs' remarkable ball movement Oden simply cannot play at this speed.

Michael Beasley has taken the next step in his NBA journey. He now has to deal with trade rumors while pushing through a season. About 20 minutes before the Miami Heat arrived for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena, Beasley was informed of a latest round of speculation linked to Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, a round that included him as a potential part of a deal. "I don't pay attention to the talk," he said. Until now, there was little reason to, beyond some trade speculation around last June's draft.

Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley has a message for TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley: My name is not Tito Jackson. On a few occasions, beginning with the start of last season's playoffs, Barkley, the outspoken NBA analyst and Hall of Fame player, has referred to the Miami Heat as Michael Jackson (that would be Dwyane Wade) and a bunch of Titos, Michael's brother and a background member of the famed Jackson 5 singing group. What Barkley really means is the rest of the Heat is comprised of relative unknowns.

September 18, 2014 Q: Watch, Michael Beasley will become a superstar under Gregg Popovich. -- D.T. A: You have to credit the Spurs with their thoroughness, and it's difficult to believe that there isn't an NBA team than couldn't use Beasley's streak scoring. I'd include the Heat on that list, but they clearly have moved on, and at least offered the opportunity to return last season. But you're right, from Boris Diaw to Stephen Jackson, those who couldn't make it work elsewhere found a way to make it work in San Antonio.

Q: How will the Luol Deng situation affect the locker room? Will it make Heat rally together to form a more cohesive unit? He has proved to be a true positive influence able to handle adversity! -- Adrian, Miami. A: First, I don't think that's necessarily Luol's locker-room personality. Plus, even when LeBron James was the center of attention, Erik Spoelstra kept Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem as the two co-captains, and I certainly don't expect that to change. What I do expect to change is Chris Bosh's voice.

The last time the Miami Heat gave away Michael Beasley's number they at least waited a year before issuing No. 30 to Norris Cole. This time, the transaction took place within a matter of weeks, with Beasley's No. 8 already assigned to newcomer Tyler Johnson for the coming season, even with Beasley still in limbo, as an unsigned free agent. While the Heat still are eligible to retain Beasley, the numerology speaks otherwise. Shawne Williams has been added in the swing role at forward Beasley held last season.

August 17, 2014 Q: How many wins this season would make you think Erik Spoelstra coached the team to its talent level? -- Joel. A: There's still too many variables in play, especially this season, and here's why: It could come down to whether the NBA, before this season, adjusts the way the lottery works. In other words, if the lottery system changes and makes it less profitable to tank, it might not be as easy to predict four wins apiece against the 76ers and Magic, and maybe even against Bucks.

August 16, 2014 Q: Ira, I saw you said they gave Michael Beasley's No. 8 to Shawne Williams. So I guess they're not going to retire Bease's number? (OK, so it means he's not coming back?) -- Henrique. A: An adjustment still could be made if Beasley is brought back, but that is an increasing longshot. But it's also not as if the Heat are mass producing Shawne Williams jerseys at this stage, either. While Beasley appears to be in the rearview mirror, the Heat still seems to be lacking on the wing, where the current options are Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Reggie Williams, James Ennis and Tyler Johnson.

By Ethan J. Skolnick and South Florida Sun Sentinel, February 16, 2010

This time, Michael Beasley got permission. Friday night, the second-year Miami Heat power forward removed his knee brace during the Rookie Challenge in Dallas, then put it back on after Heat President Pat Riley relayed his disapproval through sophomore coach Patrick Ewing. Beasley wore it throughout Monday's practice, but learned Tuesday morning from team doctors that he wouldn't need it against the Philadelphia 76ers. Beasley injured his right knee on Jan. 27 against the Toronto Raptors and, after missing two games, returned to average 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in six games while wearing the brace.

Michael Beasley had been beaten up plenty. This time the second-year Miami Heat forward fought back. Benched for the close of the previous three games, admonished by teammate Dwyane Wade for a botched alley-oop attempt earlier, and then pulled briefly in the finally minutes, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft made himself the leading man at the close of Saturday's 100-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at AmericanAirlines Arena....